Victorian businesses transporting tomato, potato, eggplant and capsicum interstate must obtain appropriate accreditation before 8 December
Agriculture Victoria has announced updated market access requirements for interstate trade of Tomato Potato Psyllid (TPP) host or carrier plants and nursery stock.
Under the new restrictions, which will come into effect on 8 December, Victorian businesses transporting TPP host or carrier plants including tomato, potato, eggplant, chilli and capsicum will need to adhere to import conditions set by each state or territory. Among other specifications, the new requirements include acquiring a plant health certificate (issued by an Agriculture Victoria authorised officer), or a plant health assurance certificate (PHAC) (issued by an approved accredited business).
In an update describing the new requirements, Agriculture Victoria has said it is expediting the accreditation process.
“The process for business accreditation will take approximately 5 working days after submitting a completed application,” it said.
“Once your application is processed, you will receive links to the required eLearning modules. The eLearning modules and assessments replace the usual face-to-face initial audit, streamlining the accreditation process.”
The government department has encouraged businesses to finalise their required accreditations as soon as possible to maintain compliance and avoid disruption to interstate trade.
TPP was first detected in Western Australia in 2017 where it is now established. It was then detected for the first time in Victoria in November 2024, at multiple locations on the Bellarine Peninsula where a restricted area was established to help contain the pest. In October 2025, TPP was then found in a residential backyard in northern Melbourne which has led to the updated import restrictions.
The full list of import conditions for each state and accreditation requirements are available on the Agriculture Victoria website.
In the lead up to the 8 December deadline, Agriculture Victoria staff will be available seven days per week to assist and respond to queries.
